The Best Chainsaw

If the DeWalt DCCS623L1 isn’t available or you’re seeking an affordable, quality chainsaw for light-duty work, consider the Greenworks CS24L210 24V 6″ Cordless Battery Brushless Pruner Saw. While it doesn’t match the DeWalt in cutting speed, battery life, or ergonomics, it offers solid runtime and can make 35 cuts through a fir 4-by-4 on a single charge. However, it does heat up during prolonged use, and oiling the chain can be tedious due to the lack of an onboard reservoir. Despite these issues, it performed well, especially as the least expensive model tested.

If you need to clear branches larger than 6 inches or tackle unpredictable brush-clearing tasks on a heavily forested property, consider a full-size tool like the Echo eForce DCS-5000-18C2. With fast cutting speeds and long battery life, this model excelled in our tests. Its narrow body and simple handle design allow for easy maneuverability around fallen trees. Plus, it features thoughtful details like wrench storage and an ergonomic handle. As one of the least expensive full-size cordless saws tested, it also offers great value.

For a higher-budget full-size chainsaw, we recommend the Husqvarna Power Axe 350i. It offers exceptional battery life, an extra safety switch, and a boost-mode button for 25% more power. With solid ergonomics, fast cutting speed, and a tool-free chain tensioner, this model stands out. Priced just under $500, it’s a worthwhile investment for regular users.

Our research shows that smaller 6- to 8-inch cordless pruning saws are powerful enough for most tasks. While they don’t cut as large a swath as full-size chainsaws, they are safer and easier to handle, especially for beginners. These compact saws excel at light-duty work, fitting into tight spaces that larger models can’t reach, like under thick hedges or within apple tree branches. They can effectively cut through 6-inch-diameter branches, making them a safer and more manageable option for novice users.

Full-size chainsaws, typically with a 14- to 16-inch bar, provide more power and longer battery life, making them ideal for serious firewood work and tree felling. While they are larger and faster than pruning saws, they are also more dangerous. Although 12-inch models are available, the added capabilities of 14- to 16-inch saws are more beneficial for most properties.

When choosing a chainsaw, opt for cordless over gas. Cordless models offer convenience, easy operation with a push-button start, and require minimal maintenance—no issues with carburetors or fuel mixing. They are quieter, don’t idle, and eliminate exhaust concerns. While corded electric chainsaws exist, they are limited by their need to be plugged in, making them less practical for most users.

We conducted two structured tests with each saw. First, we assessed battery life by making cuts through a block of four fir 4-by-4s (a total thickness of 7 inches) until the batteries ran out. For the smaller pruning saws, we used only one 4-by-4. We also timed 10 cuts for full-size saws and five for pruning saws to compare cutting speeds.

In addition to the structured tests, we performed unstructured work at a rural New Hampshire property, focusing on general tree cleanup, brush clearing, and firewood tasks. This included processing fallen trees into 16-inch logs and clearing an overgrown hillside, as well as cutting a large pile of cordwood for our smallest wood stove.

During unstructured testing, we used the saws on various types of wood, including softwoods like pine and fir, as well as denser species like oak and maple. We handled fresh, green wood and old, rotted logs, cutting everything from 17-inch tree trunks to thin underbrush. Throughout, we observed ergonomics, maneuverability, and ease of use.

All testing was done with the factory chains, as we determined most users would prefer the simplicity of using these rather than altering the saw’s cutting ability with separate chains.

The best chainsaw: DeWalt DCCS623L1 20V Max 8 in. Brushless Cordless Pruning Chainsaw Kit

The DeWalt DCCS623L1 boasts outstanding ergonomics, outperforming other pruning saws in this regard. Its front pommel is easy to grip, and the intuitive safety switch adds convenience. However, it’s the longer rear handle that stands out, accommodating larger, gloved hands and allowing for a second-hand grip that enhances control, especially during hillside clearing.

Battery life is impressive; the DCCS623L1 made 49 cuts through a fir 4-by-4 on a single charge, matching the Milwaukee 2527-21 M12. This resulted in hours of use during our hillside clearing, enabling it to last most of the day without needing a recharge. The included battery is also compatible with any DeWalt 20-volt tool.

While the tip guard enhances safety by preventing kickback from dense wood, it does limit cutting capabilities for branches over 6 inches in diameter and can make maneuvering awkward. Despite its bulk, the guard is a valuable safety feature, particularly for less experienced users, and is designed to remain attached.

Adding bar oil to the DeWalt DCCS623L1 is cleaner than on some other models. The oil reservoir’s threaded cap is located outside the saw body, reducing the likelihood of sawdust and debris entering and clogging it.

Even if you own a full-size chainsaw, this pruning saw makes a great companion tool. We found the DCCS623L1 to be agile and lightweight, weighing just under 6 pounds compared to 13 or 14 pounds for larger saws. It can maneuver between closely spaced branches, showcasing capabilities that full-size models lack. Rather than choosing one over the other, it’s beneficial to have both, as they complement each other well.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The DeWalt DCCS623L1 lacks a tool-free chain tensioner, and its scrench is not conveniently stored on the tool. Most chainsaws include a scrench (a combination screwdriver and wrench) for adjusting chain tension, often stored on the saw for easy access. In this case, the scrench is kept inside the plastic bar sheath, making it inconvenient to find when you need to tighten the chain. While there are various creative storage solutions for the scrench on other DeWalt models, this oversight seems unnecessary. Although the bar sheath and scrench can fit in a back pocket, it remains a notable drawback.

The DeWalt DCCS623L1 requires bar oil and regular chain maintenance, which is standard for chainsaw ownership. You need to fill the side reservoir with bar oil, which lubricates and cools the chain during use. Additionally, the chain requires periodic sharpening, which can be done with a round file or a chainsaw sharpening kit, or by utilizing services at many hardware stores.

Runner-up: Greenworks CS24L210 24V 6″ Cordless Battery Brushless Pruner Saw

The Greenworks CS24L210 24V 6″ Cordless Battery Brushless Pruner Saw is a solid option, but it falls short of the DeWalt DCCS623L1 in battery life and ergonomics. While it’s suitable for occasional smaller jobs, regular users might find it frustrating.

In timed tests, it matched the DeWalt with five cuts in 40 seconds but only achieved 35 cuts through a 4-by-4, 14 fewer than the DeWalt. It also overheated during extended use, indicating less durability.

The chain guard offers safety by covering the top of the chain, but it limits cutting options, as users cannot make cuts using the top chain during unstructured tasks.

The Greenworks CS24L210 features a convenient tool-free chain tensioner, utilizing a two-part locking dial that can be adjusted with light gloves on.

However, its bar oiling system is unconventional. Instead of a reservoir, it comes with a small bottle of oil that requires manual application every five to ten cuts, which can be tedious. While this design avoids the mess of automatic systems, it makes the saw less suitable for medium to large projects.

For those needing more power than the DeWalt and Greenworks pruning saws offer, the Echo eForce DCS-5000-18C2 kit is an excellent choice. It’s a fast cutter with impressive battery life, a narrow body, and great ergonomics, providing strong overall value in a full-size cordless tool.

The DCS-5000 excels in the basics, avoiding common issues like poor scrench storage and mediocre battery life. It consistently performed well in tests, making 10 cuts faster than all but one model, and achieved 55 cuts through a 7-inch-square block of fir on a single charge, ranking it high in both speed and battery life.

The Echo eForce DCS-5000 features a long, narrow body that makes it easy to maneuver through dense branches, measuring about 6 inches at its widest point—smaller than most competitors. The handles are spaced further apart, providing added leverage and control.

All details on the DCS-5000 are well-designed, with a user-friendly safety switch and an oil reservoir cap that offers extra leverage. While the reservoir could benefit from a taller neck to keep sawdust out, it has a small ridge for protection. Although it lacks a tool-free chain tensioner, the scrench is conveniently stored underneath the saw, making it easy to access when needed.

The Echo eForce DCS-5000 is a great value for a full-size cordless chainsaw, priced around $300 with a 5.0 Ah battery, making it one of the least expensive options that outperformed pricier models, like the Milwaukee 2727-21HD, which costs $200 more. However, the standard charger takes 2.5 hours to fully charge the battery, although a rapid charger is available that reduces the time to 75 minutes.

While the DCS-5000 offers solid performance, Echo’s eForce lineup is limited to outdoor power equipment as of late 2023. Compared to DeWalt, which has a broader range of compatible tools, Echo’s selection feels restricted, especially when compared to brands like Ego and Ryobi that offer more diverse cordless options.

For those seeking the best full-size saw, the Husqvarna Power Axe 350i is highly recommended, despite its higher price. It offers extended battery life, a tool-free chain tensioner, excellent cutting speed, and unique features like a boost mode and an extra safety switch. While the Echo DCS-5000 is suitable for most users, the 350i is ideal for frequent chainsaw users. In testing, the 350i achieved 72 cuts through a 7-inch fir block, significantly outpacing the Echo, which made 55 cuts, allowing for more work per battery charge.

The 350i cuts quickly and features a boost mode for enhanced power. It was among the fastest saws, completing 10 timed cuts in just 1 minute and 20 seconds. The boost mode, similar to a turbo setting on cordless leaf blowers, provides extra power for challenging cuts but does reduce battery life. This feature is particularly useful for completing projects efficiently.

Additionally, the tool-free chain tensioner is highly convenient, making it effortless to tighten the chain. This ease of adjustment encourages regular maintenance, helping users keep the chain at optimal tension.

The 350i includes an extra safety switch, positioned at the top of the handle next to the boost button. This power button must be pressed to start the saw, and once activated, a light indicates that it’s ready for use. There’s no need to press the button again to engage the chain, which enhances safety—a feature we appreciate.

Similar to Echo, Husqvarna’s battery lineup isn’t very extensive. They offer a range of 40-volt tools compatible with the same battery, but these are mainly focused on lawn care, such as string trimmers and leaf blowers. While we haven’t tested these tools yet, the impressive performance of the Power Axe 350i makes us interested in evaluating more Husqvarna cordless options in the future.

Charging the battery takes quite a while. Our tests revealed that it required four hours for a full charge, which is quite lengthy. However, given the excellent battery life of the 350i, users should be able to work around this downtime, similar to the Echo DCS-5000.

It is on the pricier side. At $450, the 350i is the second most expensive chainsaw we tested, falling short only to Milwaukee’s full-size 2727-21HD, which costs over $500. This price is about $150 more than the reliable Echo DCS-5000. However, considering the 350i’s superior cutting capabilities, convenience features, and impressive runtime, we believe it’s a worthwhile investment for regular chainsaw users.